Page 43 of Fourteen Years

“They’re doing great. If it makes sense, it's like Nick has some sort of purpose now. He doesn’t seem so gloomy.” laughed Lucas, pulling into the fire station to drop me off.

“That’s good though. We can’t tell Monica and Becks. They’ll never let us hear the end of it. Them being right and all that.”

“No shit.” smirked Lucas, throwing his truck into park. “We’ll see you all later tonight, right? For Nan’s birthday?”

I nodded, grabbing my bag to jump out.

“Have a good day, sweetheart. I love you.” he joked.

I punched his shoulder and climbed out of the truck shaking my head.

“You’re such a jackass.” I muttered, shutting the door. I hiked my duffle further up my shoulder as I heard Lucas pull away behind me. Looking up at the blue sky, I smiled. Things were going great, and this was going to be a wonderful day.

“Did you remember to grab the salad?”

“Mon, baby. I told you four times. It’s in the backseat.”

“Okay, okay. It’s just, Lucas’ Nan is intimidating. It’s her birthday we’re going to. They had me make the salad. Her favorite thing. This is nerve-wracking.”

I started laughing as Monica fretted by my side and reached over the console to lay one of my large hands on her thigh as I drove.

“Mon. That woman loves everyone. She wouldn’t care if you forgot the salad. I promise she has the ingredients stocked in her kitchen at all times.”

“Whatever.” She laid her hand on top of mine and checked her phone.

“Becks wants to know our ETA.” she continued.

“I’d say about ten minutes.” I guessed, squeezing the inside of her leg as she slapped at me.

“Stop!” she exclaimed, dropping the phone into her bag. “Apparently Lucas got a call at the station and had to leave for a bit. We need to step on it. If that pregnant woman gets it in her head to climb on a stepstool Lucas is going to have all our asses.”

I snorted and leaned forward to grab my phone as it rang.

“Damn. We’re popular.” I remarked.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Connor?”

“Jackson?” I listened to the kid clear his throat nervously. “What’s up?”

“Well. I know it’s stupid but I took the bus to the end of town and walked down to my dad’s trailer. I was going to get something I forgot, but he showed up and won’t let me leave. I was wondering if you knew where Nick was? He’s not answering and I need a ride out of here.”

I sighed, glancing over at Monica who was looking at me questioningly.

“Jackson.” I mouthed quietly. I watched her eyebrows draw in, concerned.

“I think there’s something going on down at the station, Jackson. I can come get you.”

“Oh. No, Trevor, that’s okay. I’ll try to walk.”

“Jackson. It’s not an issue. Just give me ten minutes.” I could hear the fear and uncertainty in his voice and that was calling out to a younger version of myself. I hung up before he could fight me on the subject.

“What’s going on?” asked Monica as I turned my truck onto a sidestreet to back up and return the way we came.

“He needs me to come get him. Apparently he remembered something he’d left behind and went to get it. His dad showed up and he needs a ride. Can’t get a hold of Nick.”

“Trevor. We should call Lucas.”

---